to the skin, it then shrinks as it cools, entrapping the hair. After cooling, the professional lifts up an outer border of the wax and pulls it off quickly—no strip is used with this wax. But it does not adhere to the skin as soft wax does. Soft wax with the accompanying strips for removal is used on areas such as the legs, arms, and back. their applicator on the wire or the side of the pot to remove excess wax or sugar, even more microbes are dropped into the pot. Within a few minutes, the next client is brought into the room for a service. The professional may wash their hands and find a new applicator for this service. In the meantime, the microbes (bacteria, fungi, molds, viruses, and yeast) are in the hair removal product from previous clients. Have they been killed by the heat in the pot? Given the scenario outlined above, Caprette says no. Low heat does not sufficiently destroy microorganisms in contaminated wax because the product does not reach more than 212 degrees Fahrenheit for at least 20 minutes, which is needed to kill most microbes and spores. Depilatory pots are not designed for this and will not reach the proper temperature. It’s simple: If the product could achieve that temperature in the pot, wax would break down and become a sticky, unusable mess. And if water is in the formulation, microbes will thrive at the temperature maintained in the pots. Here’s another scenario: Sometimes hairs bring blood to the surface of the skin as they are removed during a waxing session, leaving little blood spots on the surface of, say, the underarm and bikini area. The person waxing the client wipes the blood off with a tissue or gauze and alcohol. Instead of tossing the gauze—because it may be needed again—it is placed on the cabinet. When they finish the strip or hard wax pulls, the professional reaches for the tweezers and tweezes, one by one, the missed hairs from the underarm and bikini area. The tweezers are then placed on the counter, after wiping them with alcohol, to wait for their next use, possibly along with the used applicator, which may then be used to directly transfer microbes from this client to the next one. Universal precautions The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) defines Universal Precautions as treating all human blood and body fluids as if they contain microorganisms that can cause disease. Universal Precautions are part of OSHA standards. Handwashing Handwashing is a part of Universal Precautions and is the single most effective way to prevent the spread of infection. The professional should wash their hands with soapy water before and after touching clients. Handwashing is easy and can be accomplished in less than half a minute. Wet hands with clean, running water; lather the hands thoroughly with soap; scrub for at least 20 seconds; then rinse with clean water and dry with a clean towel. What Is PPE? PPE stands for personal protective equipment, is worn by the professional for protection against infectious materials, and is a part of Universal Precautions. PPE includes gloves, face masks, protective eyewear, face shields, and protective clothing (such as disposable gowns). PPE should be applied after handwashing and before touching the client. After treating the client, the PPE should be removed and disposed of, followed by handwashing.
There are two types of wax depilatory products: Hard and soft. Hard wax is recommended for the underarm, bikini area, and face because it produces less irritation that will cause hyperpigmentation (darkening of the epidermis through enhanced deposit of melanin) on these areas. It is different than soft wax (strip wax) in that after being applied Ban the double dip The replication of microbes in wax and sugar is a key issue in the controversy concerning “double dipping.” The question is whether a few microbes carried from the client back to the wax or sugar pot grow into a huge contamination. The answer is “no” in wax products, as there is no water in wax, and microbes need a water-based environment to grow. Sugar products, however, often have water in their formulas, leaving them much more susceptible to a multiplication of microbes. Regardless of whether these substances have water in them or whether the microbes have a chance to multiply, they can indeed still be transferred to the next client. David R. Caprette, PhD, at the Department of Biochemistry and Cell Biology at Rice University in Houston has expressed concern about how easily the transfer of microbes can happen in a depilatory service and has an especially high concern when damaged skin is involved, such as when there are cuts and abrasions. Caprette states that is all that is needed for trouble with the transfer of one viable organism to a nice new warm-blooded environment. Some professionals believe that they sufficiently clean the surface of the skin when they conscientiously “clean” it with alcohol or alcohol-based products. However, alcohol does more to degrease the skin than degerm it. Alcohol only sanitizes the skin, which means it reduces microbes on the surface. But it does not eliminate them. Many microbes remain on the skin and can be carried back to the pot on the applicator, then transferred to the next client. Contamination happens when a professional uses only one blade for the entire service, repeatedly dipping that applicator into the wax or sugar and then moving from pot to client, client to pot. In addition, if professionals scrape What’s wrong with this picture? No gloves. No new gauze. Dirty tweezers for the next client. One wax applicator throughout the service. Maybe not a new one for the next client. When considering a yes-or-no need for gloves/other personal protective equipment (PPE), owners should refer to the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA) of 1970 and an addendum that became effective in 1993 when the bloodborne pathogens (BBP) regulation was added to OSHA standards. Employers must comply with all applicable OSHA standards. These OSHA-devised standards are meant to protect employees from harmful work conditions. They read, in part: “The bloodborne pathogens standard applies to all employees with occupational exposure to blood and/ or other potentially infectious materials (OPIM), even if no actual exposure incidents have occurred.” Occupational exposure is defined as “Any reasonably anticipated skin, eye, mucous membrane or parenteral contact with blood (and/or OPIM) that may result from the performance of an employee’s duties.”
EliteLearning.com/Cosmetology
Book Code: CNC0825
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